Men and people from outside of the region also attended the Women’s March.

“I just wanted to come up here and support women and support minorities and support the idea of diversity,” said Scott Friend, from North Carolina.

Speakers kicked off the event in front of the Reflecting Pool around 11 a.m.

“The fact that the government is shut down on the anniversary of President Trump’s inauguration says a lot about the chaos of the way he’s running the government,” Democratic Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine said. “But this is an anniversary, too, and it’s an anniversary of activism and an anniversary of peacefully getting off the sidelines and being engaged.”

The group started its march to the White House in the afternoon.

“This is my city and I love it!” said Lisa Robinson, standing in the middle of cheering crowds. “This is what democracy looks like!”